Mortise deadbolt lock cam engagement device

Abstract

A stop arrangement for precluding disengagement of a mortise deadbolt lock element by a cam which is employed to extend and retract the element. The arrangement employs first and second stop arms angularly spaced from a cam, which are rotatable, along with the cam, and which engage the lock element to preclude over-rotation.

1. In combination with a door lock employing a mortise deadbolt lock element, apparatus to facilitate operative engagement of a deadbolt actuation cam with the mortise deadbolt lock element, wherein the lock element is disposed for movement only in opposite directions along a reciprocal axis between a retracted position and an extended position, comprising:
 means mounting the cam for rotation about a rotational axis in a first direction wherein the cam urges a head of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the extended position, and a second, opposite direction wherein the cam urges a tail of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the retracted position; and 
 a stop arm extending radially from said rotational axis and spaced at a fixed angle from the cam such that, as the cam approaches a rotated position, said stop arm engages said mortise deadbolt element and applies a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to said reciprocal axis, to said tail of the mortise deadbolt lock element to preclude further rotation of the cam in a direction in which it moves to urge the mortise deadbolt lock element into the extended position. 
 
     
     
       2. In combination with a door lock employing a mortise deadbolt lock element, apparatus to facilitate operative engagement of a deadbolt actuation cam with the mortise deadbolt lock element, wherein the lock element is disposed for movement only in opposite, substantially horizontal directions between a retracted position and an extended position, comprising:
 means mounting the cam for rotation about a rotational axis in a first direction wherein the cam urges a head of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the extended position, and a second, opposite direction wherein the cam urges a tail of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the retracted position; and 
 a stop arm extending radially from said rotational axis and spaced at a fixed angle from the cam such that, as the cam approaches a first rotated position, said stop arm engages said mortise deadbolt element and applies a force in a substantially vertical direction to engage said tail of the mortise deadbolt lock element to preclude further rotation of the cam in a direction in which it moves to urge the mortise deadbolt lock element into the extended position. 
 
     
     
       3. In combination with a door lock employing a mortise deadbolt lock element, apparatus for insuring operative engagement of a deadbolt actuation cam with the mortise deadbolt lock element, wherein the lock element is disposed for movement only in opposite, generally horizontal directions along a reciprocal axis between a retracted position and an extended position, comprising:
 means mounting the cam for rotation about a rotational axis in a first direction wherein the cam urges a head of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the extended position, and a second, opposite direction wherein the cam urges a tail of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the retracted position; 
 a first stop arm extending radially from said rotational axis and spaced at a fixed angle from the cam such that, as the cam approaches a first rotational position, said first stop arm engages said mortise deadbolt lock element and applies a force in a substantially vertical direction to engage said tail of the mortise deadbolt lock element to preclude further rotation of the cam in said first direction; and 
 a second stop arm extending radially from said rotational axis and spaced at a fixed angle from the cam such that, as the cam approaches a second rotational position, said second stop arm engages said mortise deadbolt lock element and applies a force in a substantially vertical direction to said head of the mortise deadbolt lock element to preclude further rotation of the cam in said second direction. 
 
     
     
       4. In combination with a door lock employing a mortise deadbolt lock element, apparatus for insuring operative engagement of a deadbolt actuation cam with the mortise deadbolt lock element, wherein the lock element is disposed for movement only in opposite directions along a reciprocal axis between a retracted position and an extended position, comprising:
 means mounting the cam for rotation about a rotational axis in a first direction wherein the cam urges a head of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the extended position, and a second, opposite direction wherein the cam urges a tail of the mortise deadbolt lock element to the retracted position; 
 a first stop arm extending radially from said rotational axis and spaced at a fixed angle from the cam such that, as the cam approaches a first rotational position, said first stop arm engages said mortise deadbolt lock element and applies a force in a direction along a third axis substantially perpendicular to the reciprocal axis to preclude further rotation of the cam in said first direction; and 
 a second stop arm extending radially from said rotational axis and spaced at a fixed angle from the cam such that, as the cam approaches a second rotational position, said second stop arm engages said mortise deadbolt lock element and applies a force in a direction along a fourth axis substantially perpendicular to the reciprocal axis to preclude further rotation of the cam in said second direction. 
 
     
     
       5. The combination in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the cam and said first and second stop arms comprise a unitary assembly. 
     
     
       6. The combination in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said first stop arm is spaced from the cam generally at the same angle said second stop arm is spaced from the cam. 
     
     
       7. The combination in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said first stop arm and said second stop arm have distal ends, and wherein said distal ends are beveled to define generally planar surfaces so that, when one of said distal ends engages the lock element, the generally planar surface defined at the distal end of the stop arm is in substantially full engagement with a surface of the lock element which it engages. 
     
     
       8. The combination in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said first stop arm is substantially symmetrical, relative to the cam, with said second stop arm. 
     
     
       9. The combination in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the cam has, formed in a proximal end thereof, a spindle receiver. 
     
     
       10. The combination in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the deadbolt actuation cam is mounted between generally parallel side plates, and wherein said axis about which the cam is mounted for rotation is generally perpendicular to planes defined by the side plates.